Patriot missiles to be deployed along Jordan-Syria border
US to relocate two batteries from Qatar and Kuwait in order to protect Hashemite Kingdom, source claims
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US Army officials have agreed to deploy two Patriot missile batteries along the Jordan-Syria border, London-based paper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Friday.
According to the report, the decision came after Jordanian officials requested that the US assist in protecting and securing the kingdom’s borders.
Citing a Jordanian source, the report also claimed that the two Patriot missile batteries will be transferred from Qatar and Kuwait.
Earlier this year, several Patriot batteries were redeployed along the Turkey-Syria border after Ankara requested protection from stray mortar shells.
On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel notified Congress that the Pentagon would send about 200 soldiers from an Army headquarters unit to Jordan. Hagel explained that the troops will assist efforts to contain violence along the Syrian border and plan for any operations needed to ensure the containment of chemical weapons.
Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Momani confirmed that they would receive the 200 American troops.
“They will be here to bolster our training and defense capabilities in light of the deterioration in Syria,” Momani told The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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